Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1050 - 109: The Future Princess Han’s Unexpected Origins...

At the Prince Han Mansion in Youzhou, Prince Han sat across from Yang Qi, engaged in a chess game. Yet, his complexion appeared grim, with furrowed brows and an expression of clear impatience. Yang Qi, seated opposite, maintained a composed demeanor.

'Your Highness, the suicide squad has struck, ensuring Prince Chu's demise—you can rest easy,' Yang Qi remarked. His true concern lay not in Prince Chu's death itself, but in the potential fallout. Even with flawless execution, faint clues might remain, and the court's prowess could link Prince Chu's end back to them.

Yang Qi always refrained from underestimating the imperial court in the capital, mainly due to the emperor's overwhelming might and inscrutable intentions. Should the court and emperor turn their gaze upon it, the consequences would prove dire.

The emperor held deep affection for Prince Chu; his assassination would provoke outrage, prompting a relentless imperial probe. Yang Qi couldn't assure zero traces were left. Discovery of their involvement in Prince Chu's death would seal Prince Han's doom at the emperor's hands.

He sighed inwardly, praying the framing plot would triumph. Only then could Prince Han escape unscathed.

Prince Han placed great trust in his mansion's suicide squad; by rights, anxiety should be absent. Yet, prior assassins had repeatedly failed against Prince Chu, breeding doubt about this latest team.

'Old Fourth is far too cunning; my heart refuses to settle.' This visit to the northern border saw Old Fourth armed with thorough safeguards. Moreover, his nature was devious and ruthless, rendering him a tough target.

'Your Highness, sly as Prince Chu may be, he's merely mortal; escape from our suicide squad is impossible,' Yang Qi replied, surprised by the usually arrogant Prince Han's anxiety.

Prince Han's tension eased considerably upon hearing Yang Qi's assured tone.

'Sir, you're correct.'

'Your Highness, we simply await glad tidings.'

'I look forward to it.'

Prince Han's features relaxed once more, a casual smirk playing on his lips as he resumed the chess match with Yang Qi.

The game concluded just as the suicide squad made their return.

Learning of Prince Chu's plunge from the cliff, Prince Han burst into loud laughter. 'Dead at last—Old Fourth is finally gone.'

Yang Qi refrained from joining Prince Han's exuberant mirth, instead probing the suicide squad meticulously about the cliff incident. He further questioned if they'd scoured the base for Prince Chu's corpse.

The squad explained to Yang Qi how they'd herded Prince Chu and his followers to the precipice's brink, inflicting grave wounds. Prince Chu and a handful of retainers were critically hurt prior to tumbling down; survival was inconceivable. Naturally, they'd descended to hunt for Prince Chu's remains. The body lay horribly disfigured from the drop, yet the face remained identifiable enough to verify Prince Chu's death.

With the suicide squad's account delivered, Yang Qi exhaled in true relief.

'Excellent work.'

Yang Qi had earlier ordered the suicide squad to pose as bandits for the hit on Prince Chu and finish him off. Astonishingly, they'd not only masqueraded perfectly but shoved him over the edge too. Thus, imperial investigators into Prince Chu's demise would find no trail leading back.

Praise fell on deaf ears; the suicide squad's faces stayed impassive.

After posing a few additional queries, Yang Qi dismissed the suicide squad.

'Your Highness, full peace of mind is yours now.'

Prince Han brimmed with high spirits. 'Joy overflows me.' Prince Chu's passing safeguarded Prince Han's paramount secret while erasing a colossal menace. 'Sir, this calls for revelry—let's drink heartily.'

Yang Qi declined to curb Prince Han's elation. 'Your Highness, tonight we indulge freely.'

'Good—we drink till we're soused.' Recent failed attempts on Prince Chu had soured moods for Prince Han and Yang Qi alike. Prince Chu's death lifted that immense weight from their souls.

Certain of Prince Chu's utter demise, Prince Han recommenced clandestine ties with the Third Princess as usual. Prince Dai up north remained blissfully ignorant.

Prince Han withheld word of Prince Chu's death from the capital. The court would learn only upon their own unearthing.

To thwart any imperial suspicions over Prince Chu's end, Yang Qi dispatched agents to the fall site, obliterating all traces of Prince Chu and his group's bodies. Such erasure guaranteed the court uncovered zilch.

In distant Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao learned of 'Prince Chu's' cliff fall and death, knowing too of Prince Han's evidence purge.